Let's Talk About Commenting
We twittered about this a few days ago, but we’d like to open it up for discussion: What can we do to improve the overall the quality of comments on the blog, to encourage lurkers to get involved without alienating some of the more active and, um, spirited commenters? We hear quite often from regular…
We twittered about this a few days ago, but we’d like to open it up for discussion: What can we do to improve the overall the quality of comments on the blog, to encourage lurkers to get involved without alienating some of the more active and, um, spirited commenters? We hear quite often from regular readers who feel uncomfortable, even intimidated, with the prospect of commenting. This isn’t surprising given the verbal beat-down one new commenter received from a gang of regulars a couple of weeks ago. Nor is the level of discussion going on in today’s Open Thread really where we’d like it to be. Short of active comment moderation, which really isn’t a practical option, what do you think we can/should do to elevate the quality of discussion and make newcomers feel more welcome? We’d be particularly interested to hear from some folks who usually hang back on the sidelines. It’s in the best interests of the blog and everyone who reads it to have as many people contributing their knowledge and opinions as possible.
Thanks,
Mr. B
Mr. B, The reason I don’t get involved in Open Threads is that they quickly fill up with comments by the same 8 or 10 people, and I have a job. I check in once or twice a day and leave pretty quickly. Open Thread could be a really useful tool for sharing information, but I don’t have time to wade through all the shit.
“You need to show somes stones and do what Gawker does and ax the annoying people…simple as that. We could make a list in 30 seconds. I dare you to block those people for a week and see what happens.”
After that there would be 5 posters left on Brownstoner, Dumbass!!!
“Have you ever read brooklynian.com? They have moderators who “moderate” the comments. I bet you could get 3 people who would volunteer to do that immediately and your problem would be solved.”
Yep got banned after 3 post and that was light compared to what I post here. Whuh was right you are a bunch of intellectual cowards!!!!! Awww So and so said this or my p*** hurts!
Grow a pair and hit back!!!!!
“The arrogance you have shown in the past when you used to say that this website can be civil while being unmoderated is beyond me. Please show me any website/message board that works unmoderated. This is your own fault for letting 3 annoying people ruin it for everyone, but I am glad you are aware of it.”
Please stop trying to massage you prostate here! Do it at home…
The What
Someday this war is gonna end…
Thanks for the context on Randolph beat-down…March is actually going to be a record month in terms of visitor traffic–we’ll clear 1.5 million pageviews for the first time so that’s not a concern. And we’re not trying to diss the regulars at all–as Wasder points out, they are in many ways the lifeblood of the site and, as last week’s gathering showed, care a lot about the community; they also often do have very substantive comments to add about real estate, the economy, etc. This is really intended as a brainstorming session to see if we can broaden the range input. We don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater–we want to have our cake and eat it too. (How’s that for a double cliched metaphor!)
Good gracious, we’re worried about a potential commenter getting a virtual slap? The back and forth that happens can lead to some useful information being offered. And as a plus some of the usual suspects are hilarious. As for topics, what about more features on the various architecture found in Brooklyn, even a history lesson or two would spark some interest. Lots of new people in Brooklyn, I’ve been here 20 years and still could learn a lot more about the different hoods and their history.
I think dave-in-bed is one of the least annoying posters. he is sophisticated and witty, like Biff.
The OT belongs to them and BRG and BXG and What and rob, and a few others.
I have commented a few times on the OT, usually to make a joke, but rarely does anyone even notice, much less make malicious remarks.
I do think people should be prevented from making repetitive posts, that is, one after another. That’s no fun.
I agree with wasder and also with etson’s point about the OT. Actually, the OT has cleaned up a lot of the regular threads, even as it has spiraled into its own strange place. There is a community here and the OT is where some of it likes to hang out.
Although our perspectives are somewhat different, I thing the what makes a good point that the site used to be more about homes, renovations, and neighborhoods, with the focus a bit less on price and global economic matters. (I disagree that there is any racially-motivated animus.) It is in the economic debates where the invective and vulgarism seems to fly the most (what is, of course, one of the more unfortunate practitioners of this, but not the only one by any means). Maybe in addition to the OT, we need a daily economic smackdown thread so that lurkers who just want to comment on houses and neighborhood doings in a more genteel environment can find less choppy waters in which to do so.
Welcome back, MacD, we’ve missed you.
Guest commenting won’t solve the “problem.”
If you can’t even choose an online identity, to which comments can be attached, but which is still basically anonymous, then you probably have nothing worthwhile to offer.
okay what i vow to do as my part to this. i vow not to post any comments if a thread has less than 10 posts or is less than an hour old. because, im not clueless or oblvious, i do understand what some people say.. for the rest, they will do what they have to do. *rob*